President Maithripala Sirisena’s brother and businessman Dudley Sirisena yesterday said he ‘pulled a fast one’ with the Customs Department when he first started business in the mid 80s.

“I went to Bangkok with a friend of mine and brought down some goods. That's how I started my journey as a businessman. When I make this remark, the Customs Director General is also in the audience," Sirisena said, addressing the opening of his new hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

President Maithripala Sirisena and several ministers of the government also attended the opening of the hotel.

“I have to say, I started my career as a businessman, even before the President became a parliamentarian,” he said.

"I worked in a garage. I worked in a fuel station. I worked in a lorry as a cleaner," Sirisena said, describing his rise as a businessman.

"I am not ashamed to talk about my past."

"But, I also sat for my ALs and passed the exams. In spite of all the obstacles, I continued my school education," Sirisena said, adding that it was the first time he made a public speech, while his brother, President Sirisena, was in the audience.